Graffiti has become an eyesore in Adams County, and the Brighton Police Department has responded with a set of electronic eyes.
The Police Department has deployed about 20 hidden cameras around the city and is strictly enforcing stiff penalties — a $250 fine for a first offense, a $500 penalty for a second offense and a $1,000 fine for a third.
Brighton’s court system threw the book at one juvenile, who was charged with 23 counts of application of graffiti. He was required to pay $11,750 in fines and $2,700 in restitution and court fees.
The teen will also have to perform more than 575 hours of community service.
The city has recorded a 50 percent overall reduction in graffiti in the last two years, in addition to a 98 percent decline in public park areas.
“We’re actually making a difference,” said Chris Delein, a community-resource officer with the Police Department.
Still, Delein warns: “It’s a constant battle. It never ends, and it never goes away.”
Delein is part of the department’s seven-member graffiti task force, charged two years ago with reducing the amount of tagging in public places, especially local parks.
“It affects everyone because it’s such a visible problem,” Delein said.
In Thornton, officials are expanding the city’s popular graffiti- removal program, first launched in early 2008. The service is free for residents of single-family homes and condos and homeowner associations.
Last week, the city allocated $40,000 in funding to extend the free service to local business owners as well, said Nicole Jeffers, neighborhood-services manager for the city of Thornton.
The new program, which will be implemented by the Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission,is being done on a trial basis.
“I highly doubt the funds will last much longer than six months, but we’ll have to test it out,” said Jeffers.
Joey Kirchmer: 303-954-2650 or kirchmerj@yourhub.com
